need every one opinion on outdrive

[bolo789]

hi guys, i need some info on outdrive.<br /><br />my alpha one upper gears need rebuild the mechanic is charging 750 to rebuild. he said some of the berings are bad, some are good, and the gears is shot. the lower is good only need new impeller, only have a slight crack that can be weld.<br /><br />should i go for the rebuild or get an off market new upper for about 600 with one year warranty?? <br /><br />my ???? is does anyone have good word for the off market outdrive i saw them on ebay.?? i will be waiting for everyone input, what ever this forum said i will do, what you think don s????

 

[Don S]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

Here's my view of it, and I have rebuilt a lot of drives both Mercruiser, and Volvo. I have "NEVER" seen gears go bad that didn't take out all the bearings, lower included. The reason being, is the pieces of metal no matter how samll circulates in the oil. Then you end up with it getting on the bearing surface, and because of the preloads on the bearings the small metal particles imbed themselves in the bearing race. Just have a look yourself. If you see spots that look "lumpy" on the bearing race, that is imbedded metal and the race and the bearing needs replced. <br />Besides that, the process of removing most of the bearings will destroy the bearing anyway.<br />Was the lower disassembled and inspected? If not, there is a good chance the lower is bad also and if it breaks in a short time it's going to cause problems in the upper again.<br />The complete drive needs dissassembled and inspected.<br />Seeing as there is a crack that needs welded, I'm wondering what all is actually bad with this drive.<br />Look at the top of this forum for a good deal on a drive. Personally I wouldn't buy anything mechanical from ebay, and I hope you get other opinions on what to do with the drive also, mostly because I shouldn't be your only choice for information...... I'm wrong quite often.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

Actually, I would get a complete reputable rebuild from Iboats (great prices) like Don said, have it installed by a Pro shop, and take your old stuff and sell it on ebay as this way you get to sell the (honest) rebuildable parts and get some of your money back. Cheaper than having your junk parts you have now, another set of junk parts from ebay that are listed as (not so honest) working, and STILL have no working leg. Trust me...I've been known to spend 3 dollars to save a buck.

 

[tommays]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

Bolo<br />In my work place we laugh and call it the Lucifer syndrome (it seams to be possessed by the devil to not be repaired) more times than we would care to admit we have spent more time and money trying to save money than just replacing something that has lasted its normal life cycle<br /><br />Your drive could be repaired but I suspect that a complete job would exceed the price of the aftermarket unit.<br /><br />The welding is a big concern because the skill and how many outdrives the welder has done before will really decide a big part of the outcome and this will be unknown until the money has been spent <br /><br />tommays

 

[bolo789]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

oh oh, so what you guys saying the ones they have on ebay as brand new drive are fake or junk,??? the guy who would do the rebuild did one for my friend going two years now, still running strong, and i remember it was shot, just thinking right now lol thanks guys keep all the info coming.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

Originally posted by bolo789:<br /> ones they have on ebay as brand new drive are fake or junk,???

Lay down your money and take your chances....<br /><br />Lots of folks on ebay are good. Some are not so good. A few take your money and dissappear.<br /><br />I personally wouldn't buy a big ticket item on ebay unless it was within driving distance and I'd pay for it when I saw it and pickeded it up.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

When buying from ebay you take a risk, the greater the value the more risk you take. Unless you specify the specific auction on ebay nobody can advise you whether the part / warrenty / cost looks reasonable or the buyer looks OK what his feedback like etc. <br /><br />You have good first hand experience of the quality of the repair the mech can do and hes offering a year warrenty. What you have to do is evaluate the cost difference and life expectancy of a new drive. It all depends on how much the difference in money means to you. The new drive will obviously be better and should last longer if you can afford the difference in cost in my opinion go New if you cant the choice is made for you.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[djvan]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

I've never used it, but paypal offers an insurance of sorts. If you are not satisfied with the product for whatever reason you can send it to paypal and they will give you your money back minus shipping. I think the seller must opt for this feature when listing. (I believe there is no cost to the seller when using this feature)<br /><br />DougV>

 

[tommays]

Re: need every one opinion on outdrive

Bolo<br />You have three choices<br />The new drives from stern drive engineering on the top that are about have the price of a merc drive if you do a search there are several people here who have bought them<br /><br />You can rebuild your drive but should get a good idea of the total before starting and the need for welding really ups the chance for a bad outcome depending on whose parts you use merc or aftermarket will have a big impact on the final price and should be compared to the new drive <br /><br />You buy on ebay and stand a strong chance of still getting a drive that that needs some level of repair <br /><br />tommays